1.49 Public Address System:1.49.1 There shall be installed a public address amplifier specifically designed for vehicular applications with aminimum power output of not less than 5 watts sine wave power. Such system shall consist of an on offswitch, volume control, and an inside outside speaker selector switch. Additionally, it shall have an outsidespeaker completely weather proofed a minimum 7 watt power capability and two interior dynamic speakerswith a minimum diameter of 4 inches. These speakers shall be located above the window line, to the rearof the driver, and shall not project more than 1/2 inch from the interlining of the bus. There shall be nosharp edges or corners that could cause injury to a passenger. The outside speaker on Type A and Bbuses shall be located on the left front side of the bus forward of the front wheels. On Type C buses thespeaker shall be located in the engine compartment forward of the radiator or on the inside of the frontbumper on the left side. On Type D buses the speaker shall be located under the floor on the left side ofthe bus between the front bumper and the left, front wheel.

I personally think they should be required in full size buses, but obviously that isn't the case. Cost is somewhere in the $250+ range for just a PA system with a couple of speakers. If you add PA system to an AM/FM radio it is even less. Exterior speaker would add a few bucks to that, but again, well worth it.

I personally think they should be required in full size buses, but obviously that isn't the case. Cost is somewhere in the $250+ range for just a PA system with a couple of speakers. If you add PA system to an AM/FM radio it is even less. Exterior speaker would add a few bucks to that, but again, well worth it.

You are correct. I don't know how I missed that one:

1. Every school bus placed in service after January 1, 1987 shall be equipped with a public address speaker sound system which shall be audible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of not less than fifty (50) feet simlutaneously in all directions from the center of the normal entrance door. 2. The vehicle shall have a minimum of one speaker mounted outside the passenger compartment and a minimum of one speaker mounted inside the bus. The speaker system shall be operable by the driver when seated in the normal driver's position.

(30) Radios and Public Address Systems:(a) Interior speakers mounted in the ceiling panels or side panels shall be either flush mounted or may protrude not more than 1 1/2 inches if the speaker housing is free of any corners or projections which can cause injury by striking with the head or in the event of a collision or rollover. Speakers protruding more than 1 1/2 inches may be mounted in the vertical end panels above the windshield or back windows as long as speakers are free of corners or projections which could cause injury.(b) Speakers shall not be placed above any aisle.(c) Buses purchased after November 1, 1985, shall be equipped with a public address system having interior and exterior speakers and a switch to separate from inside and outside.

Now, I'd like to pose a question...distraction caused by the PA system. One of my buses was recently involved in a roll over crash. The investigation cited distraction from grabbing for the microphone as one key factor. The driver was on the PA when the bus left the roadway.